The big news of the day was the amazing result for the  Republic of Ireland. The result sent Ireland's top pundit deeper into despair after his predictions of his own country's annihilation at the hand of Cameroon and the Germans crashed and burned, very publicly! Cameroon's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia makes Ireland's job crystal clear.

Meanwhile in the North David Alderdice of the Alliance party explains why he backed Maskey to become the first Republican mayor of Belfast. Unionist critic Steven King laments the loss of an opportunity to encourage the IRA further towards substantial decommissioning. 

The BBC charts Maskey's career.